Skinny Crispy-Chicken Burrito Bowls

Shoving a load of stuff into a wrap the size of a toddler’s blanket & then hoovering it up all in one go isn’t exactly good for you either.

You’re much better off laying it all out, taking your time, building the perfect bowl of deliciousness and taking the time to enjoy it with a nice glass of something cold.

For my skinny bowls I’ve replaced rice with spicy cauliflower rice, the chicken is perfectly crispy but cooked without any added oils, the sour cream is greek yogurt & there aren’t any white flour wraps in sight!

In terms of flavour, I think they spank any burrito bowl you’ve had before.

Look at all that crunchy, succulent chicken…

Creamy guac goes better in burrito bowls than the chunky stuff I usually make, but don’t worry it doesn’t need much more work.

Rushed photo of jalapeÃ±o & cherry tomato salsa!

The “rice”.

Right! To make your own burrito bowl table for 2-3 people you’ll need:

4 free range chicken thighs (bones in, skin on)

1 large cauliflower

2 ripe avocados

2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes

Handful of chives

Jar of sliced jalapeÃ±o peppers

2 heads of baby gem lettuce

Coriander (cilantro)

Greek yogurt

Sweetcorn

Grated cheddar

4 limes

2 lemons

Hot sauce

Red chillies

Salt + pepper

Paprika

Cayenne pepper

If possible start prepping the chicken at least an hour before you want to cook it. This’ll give it time to get all delicious in it’s marinade.

Use a pair of sharp scissors to carefully cut the bone away from the meat. Leave the skin on but trim off any dangly bits. When you’re done you should have one flat piece of ugly chicken.

Do this to all of the pieces.

In a large, flat bottomed dish squeeze the juice of 1 lemon & 1 lime. Add a finely chopped red chilli, with the seeds. Place the chicken pieces meat-side down into the spicy juice, taking care not to splash it onto the skin-side. Leave these to marinade for at least an hour, if not a couple.

While you’re waiting, prep your “rice”.

Grate your cauliflower.

Pop the grated stuff onto a clean, dry tea towel.

Wring out the moisture over the sink, then spread it all out to dry a little. Then it can just relax & take it easy for about half an hour until you cook your chicken.

You, on the other hand, need to chop your lettuce & put it into a nice bowl on the table.

For the salsa: Finely chop 2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes, add finely snipped chives, handful of diced jalapeÃ±os. Mix with lime juice and a sprinkling of flaked salt. (Or just do it all in a food processor.) Put it into a little bowl on the table.

For the guacamole: Blend up two ripe avos with a big handful of coriander, lime juice and salt. Put it into a serving bowl and put one of the avocado pits in the middle to keep it from going brown.

Drain a can of corn & put it into a bowl.

Fill a bowl with greek yogurt.

Fill a bowl with sliced limes.

Grate some good strong cheddar (this bit isn’t very skinny, but the stronger the cheese the less you’ll need) and put that on the table too.

By now your chicken should be good ‘n’ juicy! Get a dry frying pan hot until it just starts to smoke. Place your chicken pieces skin-side down in the pan and relish the sizzle! Turn the heat down a little to medium. Cook for about 5mins, until the skin is golden brown (a bit longer if you like black bits like us). Flip it over & cook the meat-side for about 3-4mins. Once they’re cooked through, rest them on a wire rack while you make your rice.

Pop your cauliflower into a dry saucepan on a medium heat. Sprinkle with salt, smoked paprika and a little cayenne pepper. Just keep heating it and stirring around until it’s warmed through. Should only take a couple of moments.

Put your chicken onto a chopping board.

Slice it into strips (try really hard not to lick your fingers until you’ve done all of them, cheeky).

Pop it on the table, light a candle & you’re ready to rock ‘n’ roll!

Now everyone can just get stuck in and build their own burrito bowl.

A mindblowing combo of flavours & textures that are sharp, spicy, salty and creamy, all at the same time!

It’ll all disappear alarmingly quickly.

The recipe might look a bit long and time consuming, but it’s all very easy. Once you’ve whipped it all up once, you’ll be able to do it with your eyes closed!

Have you seen these yet?

Talking of healthy (skinny) you should take the corn straight off the cob with a knife. It’s much healthier, naturally sweet, more delicious and without any added salt or additives.

Rosie

Very true Natasha, if you have the time!
Don’t forget you can always buy corn in water with no salt or added sugar. Great to keep around for Mexican emergencies!

http://www.la-lingua.blogspot.it/ Lucy

Holy crap, that looks good. I don’t feel very well today but I think I can feel my appetite returning now!!

Would you be able to recommend a fish or veggie alternative to the chicken? I don’t want to miss out but I don’t eat meat!!
P.s please publish a recipe book, I would love and cherish it forever! xxxhttp://www.la-lingua.blogspot.com

http://www.waterpainteddreams.com Hayley

I would also love a Londoner recipe book!

Rosie

Oh no, I hope you feel better soon Lucy!
Very easy to substitute the chicken for a nice fillet of fish. You could try a different type every week! The marinade would still be delicious. Only leave it in for about 10-15mins though or the citrus will “cook” the fish.
Cookbook is defo on the bucket list! xx

Urjita

Very interesting recipe.. perfect for a gluten free, grain free dinner. I have just recently started reading your blog and am completely hooked.

I’m throwing a party on Sat, and I think a burrito bowl bar might be in order? Thanks for posting so many recipes that are well suited for entertaining.

Also, I’m totally with you in terms of the “that burrito is appalling the size of a newborn” notion. Chipotle burritos are objectively the size and weight of tiny people. It’s delicious but bizarre! And it’s not like one can just “eat half” because you KNOW that thing is going to be a soggy mess in an hour!

I’m cooking for 20 girls at my future sister in laws hen party soon and theme is Mexican food and drinks to match the wedding. This sounds like a crowd pleaser to keep all the screaming girls happy. Also means I can make your Slutty Brownies for pudding without as much guilt if we had a huge burrito for dins. Cheers!

Jaysus that’s a lotta girls! I think you’re right though, this could be a pretty easy solution! I’d delegate all the different bits to the bridesmaids and make sure someone’s on margarita duty 24/7! xx

India Benjamin

These look so nice. I love making meals out of burrito/ fajita fillings rather than having it as a wrap, so much more filling! And I’m a big fan of cauliflower rice, just makes curries and everything slightly more guilt free http://www.touchscreensandbeautyqueens.com

where are the beans? no burrito is complete without beans – good source of protein too.

Janis Cronin

Another fantastic recipe to try just in time for the weekend. The ultimate question, which will come first…the chicken (burrito) or the (chocolate) egg!

Happy Easter Rosie, hope you have a wonderful weekend

Imogen May

This looks incredible. The cauliflower rice is bloomin’ mind blowing, me and all my housemates are all obsessed! Being a gluten free lass, I feared burritos would become a sad experience, but they are so much nicer in a bowl! I savour rather than gobble! Cheers for the lovely recipe, as per! Ix

Amazing bbq inspiration right here. This recipe for cauliflower rice is soo much easier than loads of others I’ve tried – although, what do you do with the tea towel after? I’ve had to chuck so many away as the cauliflower smell just won’t wash out!! xxx

I’m also a bigger fan of burrito bowls than actual burritos. I could inhale Chipotle’s burrito bowls – with extra corn salsa, of course. I basically lived on burrito bowls my freshman year of college – they now have sentimental value!http://www.perpetuallycaroline.com

http://www.notesbynatalie.com/ Notes by Natalie

Totally agree…burrito bowls are the way to go. Love the addition of cauliflower rice. We’ve made a “skinny” Shepherd’s Pie, and used mashed cauliflower on top instead of regular mashed potatoes. Tastes just as good!

I love your blog and all the fun adventures you post about but please don’t call this Mexican. It has nothing to do with Mexican food at all and trust me on this one because I am one proud Mexican.

Other than that, hope you’re really good and having fun as always!

Juan

Burritos, guacamole, corn, salsa, lime looks pretty Mexican to me!
She wasn’t saying “Here’s traditional mexican cuisine just like madre makes” she made ONE mexican joke because burritos are mexican food and are served in mexican restaurants all of the world. Get over yourself jefe.

Alejandra Ocana

Well, if we’re talking about the Mexican-american version of the food, then yeah. I wasn’t really saying anything about the joke… I was just saying that that is definitely not Mexican food. You should see in the tone of my comment that I wasn’t being pretentious or anything. I was just giving a piece of information. Nothing to get over… 😉 Have a nice day!

I have to say I am guilty of shoving those larger than life burritos in my face. However! i usually order the bowls for my kids since it’s much easier for them to eat. Idk why I have never made them at home. Thanks for the inspiration!

http://www.thatblondebrit.blogspot.com Maddie

These look so good, I love the cauliflower addition. Can’t get enough of mexican food at the moment! x

Oh yes, I’m definitely going to be doing a vegetarian version of this…Since I’m that one annoying person who doesn’t eat red or white meat or 99% of things that contain trace animal by-products 😉 Almooost vegan but not quite 😉

Such a great idea! I love the inside best aswell! Who needs the tortilla? It looks deliceus and I cant wait to try it. I have tried many of your other recipes on your blog and each time Itake a bite I allways say to myself, “darn that girl is a genius!”
thnx
emily

http://www.HYHOI.com Nina at HaveYouHeardOfIt?

I’m so making these tonight! Need something skinny after all those Easter eggs!

This is for sure happening tomorrow. Perfect end to the bank hol weekend.

Adaleta Avdic

This is such a good idea. I turned to my boyfriend and said “we need to make burrito bowls instead of buying them from Chipotle” and he said “wow that’s a good idea.” Too bad I couldn’t take credit for this idea! This is wonderful so thank you for posting about this simple, yet AMAZING lunch/dinner choice!

Rosie, I made this for hubby tonight and wasn’t sure what he’d make of the cauliflower rice. Well, he had two huge servings aand went back for more of everything else as well! He loved the crispy chicken in particular. I would definitely make this when we have guests but I think it would also be delicious done as wraps. Mmmmmm…